Passover and Easter

The Bible does not stand alone as a victim of sloppy interpretation. Most any text -- some more easily than others -- can be misread and misunderstood.

I recently received a comment on one of my older posts. The commenter undoubtedly believes that Easter is a pagan holiday to be avoided, and that Christians instead should observe the "Lord's Supper" only on the night of the Jewish Passover.

Because I find it valuable to examine the beliefs of the Early Church, the commenter posted a quotation from ancient historian Eusebius (pictured above), who cited a letter from Polycrates to the Roman bishop Victor. Polycrates, based on a tradition he says comes from the apostle John, insisted on observing the date of the Jewish Passover, while Victor insisted on maintaining the Sunday observance for Easter. Earlier that century, Polycarp had the same argument with Anicetus.

The anonymous commenter concludes, "So now, who left the teachings of the first generations of Christians?"

I am sure the commenter overlooks certain points when reading this account from Eusebius' History of the Church:

1. It's evident that there was a certain kind of authority or primacy associated with the bishop of Rome -- both Victor and Anicetus. Why did Polycrates and Polycarp insist on talking to the Roman bishop unless he had some sort of widely recognized authority in church matters? It also appears the Roman bishop had the authority to excommunicate whole parishes and regions from the faithful. (Note: This is long before Constantine and the Council of Nicea of A.D. 325.)
   
2. The whole controversy was over specific dates, not specific celebrations. The truth is that they debated when to celebrate a special annual observance of the the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Both sides of the controversy were speaking of the same event, but argued over when it was to be observed. It was not "Should we keep 'God's Passover' or 'pagan Easter'?" There is no evidence that the pope was trying to force a new celebration upon Christians. Thus there was no outcry against colored eggs, Cadbury bunnies, or pagan accoutrements (secular, modern "Easter" symbols didn't arrive till much later).
3. Polycrates and the others Asiatics on his side also observed a form of Lent. The length of "the fast" leading up to Easter (or Passover, whichever you wish to call it) also varied according to different traditions. But, unlike the anonymous commenter, they still observed this already ancient tradition.
4. Despite their differences, after their visit, "Anicetus conceded the administration of the eucharist in the church to Polycarp, manifestly as a mark of respect." If Polycarp thought Anicetus was falling headlong into paganism, why did he agree to administer the Eucharist? By the way, because of their strong views, surely this particular Eucharistic celebration was held neither on the Jewish Passover date nor on Easter Sunday. It would have been an ordinary weekly Sunday, which was a customary practice for both of them.

There are other things I would like to point out, but not knowing for sure who the anonymous commenter is, I don't know which points to address.

To read about this in fuller context, read all of chapter 24 in Eusebius' work here.